Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals, including chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite, that were widely used in insulation, roofing, flooring, brake linings and other building and industrial materials. When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, they release microscopic fibers that can be inhaled and cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, often decades after exposure.
OSHA regulates worker exposure to asbestos in general industry, construction and shipyards. Because many buildings constructed before the 1980s still contain asbestos, renovation, demolition and maintenance workers remain at risk today.
OSHA Asbestos Standards and Exposure Limits
OSHA has three asbestos standards:
- General industry: 29 CFR 1910.1001
- Construction: 29 CFR 1926.1101
- Shipyards: 29 CFR 1915.1001
All three set a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air (f/cc) as an 8-hour time-weighted average, and an excursion limit of 1.0 f/cc averaged over a sampling period of 30 minutes. Unlike many OSHA health standards, the asbestos standards do not use an action level.
Under the standards, asbestos-containing material (ACM) is any material containing more than 1 percent asbestos. Presumed asbestos-containing material (PACM) means thermal system insulation and surfacing material found in buildings constructed no later than 1980. These must be treated as asbestos-containing unless properly tested and shown otherwise. Asphalt and vinyl flooring installed no later than 1980 must also be treated as asbestos-containing unless shown otherwise.
Classes of Asbestos Work in Construction
The construction standard divides asbestos work into four classes, each with different control requirements:
- Class I: removal of thermal system insulation and surfacing ACM or PACM, the highest-risk work.
- Class II: removal of other ACM that is not thermal system insulation or surfacing material, such as floor tile, roofing and siding.
- Class III: repair and maintenance operations where ACM or PACM is likely to be disturbed.
- Class IV: maintenance and custodial activities in which employees contact but do not disturb ACM or PACM, and clean up dust or debris from it.
Class I through IV work requires regulated areas, specific work practices and engineering controls, and supervision by a competent person.
Key Employer Requirements
Identify asbestos before work starts
Building and facility owners must determine the presence, location and quantity of ACM and PACM, and must tell employers and employees who will work in those areas. For demolition and many renovation projects, EPA's asbestos NESHAP regulations (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M) also require a thorough inspection beforehand and, in many cases, written notification to the regulating agency at least 10 working days before work begins.
Exposure monitoring and controls
Employers must assess and monitor exposures and use engineering controls and work practices such as wet methods, HEPA-filtered vacuums, local exhaust ventilation and enclosures. Dry sweeping, using compressed air to remove asbestos, and high-speed abrasive saws without proper controls are prohibited. Respirators and protective clothing are required in regulated areas and when exposures exceed the PEL or excursion limit.
Training and medical surveillance
Training requirements depend on the type of work. In construction, Class I and II training must be equivalent to EPA's model accreditation plan for abatement workers, while Class III and IV workers need awareness-level training. In general industry, employees exposed at or above the PEL or excursion limit must receive training at least annually.
Medical surveillance is required in construction for employees who perform Class I, II or III work for a combined total of 30 or more days per year, or who are exposed at or above the PEL or excursion limit. In general industry, it is required for employees exposed at or above the PEL or excursion limit.
Recordkeeping
Employers must keep exposure measurement records for at least 30 years, medical surveillance records for the duration of employment plus 30 years, and training records for 1 year beyond the last date of employment.
How to Manage Asbestos Risk Step by Step
- Survey the building. Review building records and have a qualified inspector sample suspect materials before renovation or demolition.
- Communicate locations. Label ACM where required and inform contractors, maintenance staff and custodians.
- Classify the work. Determine whether planned tasks are Class I, II, III or IV, and select the required controls.
- Use trained, qualified workers. Confirm training and, where required by state law, licensing for abatement contractors.
- Set up regulated areas and controls. Restrict access, use wet methods and HEPA equipment, and provide respirators and protective clothing.
- Monitor exposures. Conduct air monitoring as the standard requires and notify employees of results.
- Dispose of waste properly. Package asbestos waste in sealed, labeled containers and send it to an approved disposal site.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting renovation or demolition without an asbestos survey.
- Assuming newer-looking materials in older buildings are asbestos-free.
- Letting maintenance staff disturb pipe insulation or ceiling materials without training.
- Dry sweeping or using compressed air to clean up debris.
- Losing exposure or medical records that must be kept for decades.
How SMS360 Helps
SMS360's Training Management module helps employers assign asbestos awareness and task-specific training by job role, track completion and keep training records in one place. Automated reminders flag annual refresher training before it lapses, and dashboards show who is current, due or overdue across sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OSHA PEL for asbestos?
OSHA's permissible exposure limit for asbestos is 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air (f/cc) as an 8-hour time-weighted average. OSHA also sets an excursion limit of 1.0 f/cc averaged over a 30-minute sampling period. These limits apply in general industry, construction and shipyards.
What buildings are likely to contain asbestos?
Buildings constructed before the 1980s are the most likely to contain asbestos, in materials such as pipe and boiler insulation, sprayed-on fireproofing, ceiling texture, floor tiles, roofing and siding. OSHA requires thermal system insulation and surfacing material in buildings constructed no later than 1980 to be presumed asbestos-containing unless testing shows otherwise.
Who can remove asbestos?
Asbestos removal must be done by workers trained to the level the OSHA standard requires for the class of work, under the supervision of a competent person. Class I and II removal requires training equivalent to EPA's model accreditation plan, and many states also require abatement contractors and workers to be licensed or accredited.
How long must asbestos records be kept?
Under OSHA's asbestos standards, exposure monitoring records must be kept for at least 30 years, and medical surveillance records for the duration of employment plus 30 years. Training records must be kept for 1 year beyond the last date of employment.
